piratefiction Chapter 97 Breaking Through the Stronghold
Chapter 97 Breaking Through the Stronghold
Chapter 97 Breaking Through the Stronghold
At this time, many notorious bandits from beyond the Great Wall began to have designs on the area, and if these people were all included, their numbers would be quite considerable.
Over the years, a large portion of those exiled from Dayong came from the northern frontier. Some settled there, but many others, unwilling to be cannon fodder on the battlefield, chose to flee beyond the Great Wall.
Moreover, due to the wars over the years, after the army was scattered, some of them settled in the area. Among these people were not only the Northern Barbarians but also the Dayong people.
After several generations of reproduction, they have grown to a very large number, struggling in this no-man's-land.
Now that someone has finally taken notice of them, how could these notorious bandits not be tempted?
A large portion of them were willing to cooperate with the Northern Barbarians.
This is an opportunity for the powerful figures in the northern frontier, but if they don't seize it, they will be crushed by these two behemoths.
Lu Yuan was definitely not the only one who had this idea.
However, he was probably the first to make a move.
After a day of marching.
The army had already assembled at the foot of Vulture Ridge. Helian Shang and Yun Mo had arrived ahead of time. Upon seeing Zhou Hongling, they immediately came out of the camp to welcome her and respectfully said, "Greetings, General."
"No need for formalities. Are all your subordinates here?" Zhou Hongling said casually as she walked forward.
Upon entering the camp, they went straight into the already prepared command tent.
"General, everyone has arrived. There are a total of 4,000 city guards and 6,000 garrison troops at Huangsha Fortress and Huqiu Fortress."
"Enough to take down Vulture Ridge," Yunmo said loudly.
Although he only had one arm left, he showed no signs of discouragement. He seemed more energetic and his cultivation had increased significantly.
He had a long sword hanging at his waist.
"Mm." Zhou Hongling nodded, clearly agreeing with Yun Mo's words.
Although they were outnumbered, when it comes to war, sometimes it really doesn't matter how many people you have.
A regular army can crush a disorganized mob.
Putting everything else aside, the equipment alone creates a huge gap.
Not to mention, another 6,000 troops came to garrison the area.
To be honest, even with several thousand city guards, Vulture Ridge might not be able to stop them.
It is precisely because of this that the banditry in the border regions has never attracted much attention; otherwise, it would have been wiped out long ago.
At this moment, Helian Shang said softly, "General, when should we launch our attack? The people of Vulture Ridge have already begun to organize their defenses."
Zhou Hongling sat at the head of the table, glanced at Lu Yuan, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, said slowly, "Then let's launch an attack tomorrow and try to destroy this stronghold within a day."
They brought over a hundred city-breaking crossbows with them this time.
Let alone a mere village, even a small city could be suppressed.
"Yes, sir!"
Lu Yuan and the other two immediately responded.
Then, Zhou Hongling gestured for them to step back.
As soon as they stepped out of the tent, Helian Shang pulled Lu Yuan and Yun Mo aside and said, "Gentlemen, we've finally managed to get together today, how about we have a drink together?"
"Okay!" Yunmo nodded.
Lu Yuan did not refuse and went to Helian Shang's tent. As a descendant of a military family, he never mistreated himself.
Inside the tent, there was already roasted mutton and various other delicacies.
The drinks have already been laid out.
The three of them went inside and took their seats.
Helian Shang opened a jar of wine, filled the bowls of Lu Yuan and the other man, and then dismissed the guards in the tent.
After finishing a bowl of wine, he leaned closer and whispered, "Have you heard about what's happening beyond the Great Wall?"
"What is it?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Yunmo nodded: "He was probably saying that the higher-ups are basically aware of the Northern Barbarians' attempt to win over the powerful bandits beyond the Great Wall and create a buffer zone."
Moreover, it is said that the imperial court has also sent people to contact these notorious bandits.
Several powerful and influential families are also preparing to enter the fray.
Lu Yuan looked surprised. This time he really felt it was unbelievable. He asked curiously, "Why is this? I can understand the court. After all, the Northern Barbarians supported some people, so our Great Yong naturally supported some as a countermeasure."
But what exactly were those honors and titles bestowed upon them?
"Why? Firstly, to cultivate their own family's power, and secondly, naturally, to do business. Once the buffer zone is established, it will truly become a no-man's-land."
There are quite a few people here, and most of them are martial artists, so the consumption is naturally very high. Another point is that the business they really want to do is with the Northern Barbarians.
If a buffer zone doesn't have its own territory, it will be very troublesome on the road later; it might be robbed before even reaching its destination. Therefore, naturally, many people are eyeing this area.
Helian Shang took a sip of wine and said.
His face was already a little red at this point.
Lu Yuan glanced at him: "How do you know all this?"
"Of course, that's what my father said. I only told you so much because I consider you two brothers. According to my father, there is great potential in the Northern Frontier in the future," Helian Shang said proudly.
Since the battle beyond the Great Wall, his relationship with Yunmo and Lu Yuan has been very good, after all, they have been through life and death together.
The latter, in particular, could be said to have saved his life.
That's why Helian Shang said so much today.
"So, your Helian family has no intention of getting involved?" Lu Yuan asked after clinking glasses with him.
Helian Shang said in a low voice, "Of course we will get involved. Although we are not as noble as those imperial families, we still have the advantage of being close to the source. Not only our family, but the Zhou family should also get involved."
It seems the Marquis has already begun preparations.
It's just that no official action has been taken yet.
Just watch, in a while, this buffer zone will likely become a complete battlefield, with all sorts of forces getting involved. If anyone manages to gain a foothold here, that would be quite remarkable.
After he finished speaking, Lu Yuan nodded slightly.
He hadn't thought of that; it seems that one's perspective truly determines one's vision.
Yunmo didn't speak, but nodded from time to time.
He didn't have any family behind him; he was just Zhou Ming's apprentice, so these things didn't concern him much.
The meal was stopped after about an hour, since they had to go to the battlefield the next day.
After returning, Lu Yuan rested.
In the main hall of Vulture Ridge, Chang Ying, known as the Divine Vulture of the Frontier, sat at the top. He was somewhat bald and had a hooked nose.
His appearance was somewhat ferocious, but his body was very strong.
He was wearing a black suit of armor.
He glanced at the group of leaders, big and small, and said, "The imperial court's forces actually attacked us without any prior warning. Where are the spies in the city? What are you all doing?"
No one in the hall knew how to speak. After a moment, a figure mustered up the courage to say, "Boss, a new captain has been appointed in the city, and all our men have been eliminated."
We can't get any information at all.
When the army arrived at the foot of the mountain, they realized they were coming for us.
"Alright, enough rambling. The horse ranch down the mountain has already been seized by the Helian family. I reckon they'll launch an attack on the village tomorrow."
Tell the boys to stay alert; there will be a great reward after we defeat the government troops.
"Yes, sir!"
The group of leaders below immediately responded.
But they also understood that this time, things were unlikely to end well.
With so many imperial troops coming, it's impossible for them to retreat so easily.
However, he dared not say it at this moment.
We can only adapt to the situation when the time comes.
But after returning home, these leaders began to pack up their valuables, and some of the most valuable items were carefully placed close to their bodies.
They were clearly prepared to flee at any moment.
The night passed in the blink of an eye, and early the next morning, the troops at the foot of the mountain had all assembled.
All the warhorses were driven into the stables and left to be guarded by designated personnel.
After all, this is a siege, so you don't really need that many horses.
As its name suggests, Vulture Ridge is shaped like a giant vulture, but it is not steep. This is because there are no very steep areas in the northern wilderness, and this ridge is just a bit higher in altitude.
The village is located on the mountainside, about five meters high, and is built entirely of bluestone with uneven crenellations.
The bandits in the village, holding cheap bows and arrows, aimed them downwards.
The ironwood gate was mottled and worn.
Chang Ying stood above, wearing armor, his black cloak fluttering behind him.
He is most skilled in light-footed skills and claw techniques.
With his Blood Transformation Realm cultivation, he would be considered quite capable even in the military.
At this moment, his eagle-like eyes were fixed on what was below.
Seeing the approaching imperial troops, he said in a hoarse voice, "Keep your eyes peeled, anyone who dares to come close, fire an arrow."
As soon as the words were spoken.
Those around him quickly agreed.
At this time, the army had already arrived at the foot of the stockade.
Looking at the simple stone wall in front of him and the archers holding bows and arrows, Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. No wonder Helian Shang was so confident.
With this kind of weaponry, it's no match for the imperial court at all.
"Creak!"
Then, hundreds of crossbows were carried up.
At this moment, Lu Yuan felt like he was using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
On the wall, Chang Ying's lips twitched the moment he saw the city-breaking crossbow; he knew he couldn't stop it this time.
Who would be so kind as to use a city-breaking crossbow to attack a mountain stronghold?
Only these border troops dare to do this.
After the giant crossbow was adjusted to the correct angle, there was no further unnecessary talk.
As Helian Shang lowered the command flag.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
One after another, crossbows shot out, leaving white streaks in the air.
Without hesitation, Chang Ying pulled one of his men in front of him to block the fatal blow, then ducked down and lay prone behind the barricade.
At this point, he no longer cared about being disheveled.
Round after round of crossbow fire kept the people on the wall from raising their heads.
The walls and city gates were covered with a dense array of crossbows.
"attack!"
After seeing the bandits suppressed and many strongmen shot dead.
Lu Yuan shouted and led his men into the village, with Yun Mo and Helian Shang following closely behind.
At this point, the crossbows nailed to the wall became the best tools for climbing.
With his crescent blade in hand, Lu Yuan leaped lightly, using the crossbow bolt to reach the top of the wall.
The blade swept outwards.
It erupted with an astonishing roar.
"Sizzle!"
As if leather had been torn apart, he killed the dozen or so bandits surrounding him with a single stroke.
The head fell to the ground.
The others were equally unwilling to be outdone.
Yunmo wielded his sword with one hand, weaving through the battlefield. Each strike of the blade claimed a life.
Helian Shang used a long spear.
Moreover, his skill was exceptional; his cultivation had reached the initial stage of the罡气 (Gāngqì) realm.
The gun was covered with a faint layer of true energy.
Wherever it passed, blood splattered everywhere.
Each of them was surrounded by fully armored warriors and elite troops forged from bone, and when they charged into the battlefield, they were utterly unstoppable.
The bandits on the wall were scattered in a single charge.
When Chang Ying saw this scene, he knew that the situation was hopeless.
He dodged and, using his superb lightness skill, attempted to jump off the wall to leave.
But Lu Yuan's eyes were already locked on him.
In fact, the reason he attacked Bald Ridge this time was because of this person.
Once Chang Ying dies and the village is destroyed, the people of Bald Vulture Ridge will be leaderless and homeless, making it much easier for Wu Han to incorporate them.
Therefore, everyone can leave now, but he cannot.
So, as soon as Chang Ying landed, he frowned because he felt an invincible gust of wind coming from above.
When he turned his head, Lu Yuan's crescent blade was already in front of him.
Chang Ying dodged, and the blade barely grazed his chest before hitting the ground.
"Hooray!"
A crack was cleaved in the ground.
The sound was extremely muffled, and the horrifying crack was terrifying.
Chang Ying kept retreating.
Lu Yuan leaped into the air like a spinning top, his blade swirling around him, leaving a trail of blue light in the air before crashing down on Chang Ying once more.
His cultivation at the Spleen Refining Realm made his body full of qi and blood, and his strength became terrifyingly powerful.
Although Chang Ying could tell that Lu Yuan's cultivation level was improving, he did not dare to underestimate him.
With a swift movement from his waist, two short swords were held above his head.
Clang!
Just as he raised it, Lu Yuan's blade fell to the ground.
It clashed with the sword's edge.
Almost effortlessly, the short sword was shattered, followed by Chang Ying's body.
A spray of blood erupted.
The surrounding bandits were all horrified; their leader had actually been killed in battle.
As for Helian Shang and Yun Mo, who were on the wall, they also looked like they had seen a ghost.
They knew that Lu Yuan was a cultivator at the Refining Realm, and they also knew that the opponent was very strong.
But this Changying Realm is moving the Blood Realm.
Even if you're fighting someone of a higher level, there's no need to be so relaxed, killing them with just two strikes.
In this realm, who can rival him?
Only then did they understand why the Marquis valued Lu Yuan so highly; initially, they all thought it was because of their shared life and death experience in the borderlands.
Now I understand, this Lu Yuan is truly extraordinary.
Although Helian Shang and his companion could not compare to the young masters of those aristocratic families, they were still extremely rare among ordinary people.
But now, compared to Lu Yuan, it seems like they're nothing at all.
Think about what you were doing when you were seventeen.
I'm too embarrassed to say it.
At this moment, Lu Yuan was unaware of what the two were thinking. He was simply taking advantage of this opportunity to kill as many enemies as possible and gain more experience.
[Host kills opponent, "Wind and Thunder Slaying General Technique" proficiency +10]
[The host has withstood an attack from the opponent; proficiency in "Blood Refining Golden Bell Shield" increases by 10.]
As one voice after another rang out.
Lu Yuan could clearly feel that his sword-wielding speed was getting faster and faster, and even his strength was slowly increasing.